Stella Dimoko Korkus.com: Former Head Of State IBB Speaks On His Days As A Playboy And His Plans To Remarry

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Saturday, December 29, 2018

Former Head Of State IBB Speaks On His Days As A Playboy And His Plans To Remarry

Former Nigerian military leader, Ibrahim Babangida, has opened up about his life and his late wife, Mrs. Maryam Babangida, who died on Sunday, December 27, 2009 due to ovarian cancer at a Los Angeles, California hospital, at the age of 61.




General Ibrahim Babangida in this interview speaks on life without Maryam, his wish to marry again and other issues.


Excerpts;


If you look this way at 77, we could imagine how you were at 17 or 19, very handsome, soft-spoken and all that. How did you deal with the girls?



I was going to believe that you would come with that conclusion. But let me give you a story to answer your question. When I told my wife to let’s get married, she looked at me and said: ‘You can’t be serious’. I said: why? She said that the impression she had was that we were playboys. So, I said I had decided I didn’t want to be a playboy but I wanted to settle down. I think I convinced her that I really meant I was going to settle down.


How did your love life start, especially at a time when inter-ethnic marriages were not encouraged? How did your parents and hers take it?



Fortunately, the two parents knew each other. They were more or less friends and I also became friends with her cousins and aunties and uncles. So, they didn’t have difficulties…


You really played before you eventually made your mind to settle down…


I did…


How did you deal with the other girls?



Well, they had to accept that there would be a time they would have to leave me and I had to leave them.


Did you actually leave them completely?



I tried to…


How do you react to this notion that when Delta State was created by your government, you chose Asaba as the capital because your wife was from there?



Geographically speaking, the critics said, Asaba was not at the centre.

It was not because of her. Before we created a state or local government, we studied everything-the history and the politics of that area; then, settled on one. I made a lot of consultations. I was fortunate I had Dennis Osadebe, I think he was a Premier of the Mid-West. I called him, went to him, and he told me the whole history of that area. Historically, during the British era, the town was an important town, and it was seen as such. So, from all the consultations, we made up our minds that we will make Asaba the capital. It just happened that my wife was from there.



It was said that on the eve of your announcement, the military administrator went to Warri and was looking for a place…


(Cuts in…) Before the announcement, somebody in Niger had also gone to another town and started saying that that would be the capital. But we knew it was going to be Minna. Then, we were accused. It is a typical Nigerian thing.


For a man of great accomplishments like you, and as a Muslim, your religion permits you to marry as many wives as you like. But you stuck to Mrs Maryam Babangida till her death on December 27, 2009. Before the marriage eventually happened, what were the traumas you went through?



(Laughs) That is the advantage of being a playboy; you get to learn more. So, when you make up your mind that you are going to settle down, you have learnt all the good and bad things in relationship. And if you decide you are settling down, you must avoid all those pitfalls. We had a very short relationship before we got married and what I looked for in a woman, before I married, she possessed them.


Would it not have been otherwise if you were not General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida upwardly mobile, highly visible, known all over the world? Would she have been that tolerant?



I think she would still have been. During the war, for example, I was away most of the time. We were in the war front, and there was a lot of anxiety. Will he come back? Will he be killed? You know that sort of thing. But she was a very strong willed person and she was always hoping that, yes, he will come back. Yes, we will be there. And these scaled up the home, the children, and so on.


Was there a time in your 40 year of marriage that she got angry and said: ‘what the heck, I’m leaving!’



No, we never had that. That is why I said we quarrelled only twice and they were ordinary things we could sort out.


How did you handle your problems, anytime confusion came?

We allowed tempers to cool down. That is rule number one. We also applied that thing called common sense. Then, we initiated discussion, between the two of us on the subject that brought about the quarrel, and you find that you can easily resolve it. You would see me saying ‘I am sorry, I was wrong.’ She too would be saying, ‘I’m sorry I was wrong’. That is the end of it.


Does ‘the other room’ play any role in resolving such problems?



(Laughs) We always solved our problems in the dining room.


I’m talking about the ‘other room’?



Which is the other room? Enlighten me.


The chemistry between the two of you was so strong that people were wondering about your next move concerning marriage after her passing. I remember asking you the same question the last time my former bosses-Mr. Mike Awoyinfa, the late Pastor Dimgba Igwe-and I interviewed you in this same house; and you said you would remarry.



I’m still searching but I want to be fair. You don’t expect me to take a wife much younger than I am because that will be a problem for her and for me. I have to be fair. Secondly, I do expect if she will be able to live the way we did, which is not easy these days. So, I keep on praying; and I think it will happen.


Do you really mean you are searching?



Yes, I’m hoping.


How is life as a widower? What is the greatest problem you face as a widower?



Somebody to instantly correct me. Somebody to say ‘this is right, this is wrong’. This is important, especially for those of us in the limelight. That is what I miss most.


From nationalhelm

51 comments:

  1. He wants to marry again; oya girls who know the way to Minna Aso rock business has landed.

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    Replies
    1. Lol. He's looking for a mature woman. My aunty of 60yrs just even remarried a 70yr old man. They both lost their spouses. I prefer such marriage than picking a young lady that will still want children.

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    2. God forbid! Life is not all about money. I can never marry this evil man. He is one of the major problems of Nigeria

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    3. He really loved Miriam. He sounds like a really mature person. Many of his mates will still be looking for young girls to marry.

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  2. Replies
    1. Anonymous 14:36 thank you,yes His Excellency Daddy IBB is a good man, always being.

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  3. Smart man! Once a maradona, always a maradona. We all know locating the capital of Delta State at Asaba was the greatest marital favouritism in Nigeria's political history. Asaba remains the most inappropriate city to have been made capital.

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    Replies
    1. Oh you know this,smh.Asaba wasn't meant to be the capital,it was Ibusa.

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    2. Anonymous and Chi-square Asaba still remains the best, l repeat the best Capital of Delta State

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    3. His Excellency Daddy IBB knew what was good for Deltas,Asaba still remains the best Capital

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    4. Lies about Ibusa. Big lies.

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  4. Thought he remarried Ibidun Ighodalo's ex Abe Ibrahim

    #remarryfire

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    Replies
    1. Lol love this. Are they still doing?

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  5. This man messed this country up.

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    Replies
    1. That’s why he’s is paying for all his crimes now. God will judge you all.

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    2. Anonymous 15:31 how did he mess up the Country? You lots just come on Internet to type rubbish.

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    3. @prettiest tell us what he did or structures he has put in place that is still beneficial to you and I? You lots come on internet to spew nonsense. IBB messes up Nigeria big time! Can you say more?

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    4. Inflation, drug trafficking and exchange rate rose rapidly during his reign. The system of "you chop, I chop" became the norm and Nigeria never recovered from that mentality till date.

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    5. @19:30, Establishment of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency ( NDLEA), creation of 11 states and 135 local government councilc,Establishment of the Nigerian Export Promotion Council ( NEPC ), introduced private broadcabrong, gradual movement of Nigerian's capita to Abuja (the central point in Nigeria map),Establishment of the Nigerian Deposit Insurance Corporation ( NDIC ), Enactment of the Copyright Law,Establishment of the Copyright Council,ConstructedAbuja International Airport Phase 1&2, built and commissioned third mainland bridge Lagos ,Kaduna Petrochemical plant,International Conference Centre, Abuja,National Assembly Complex, Abuja
      The Supreme Court Complex, Abuja,The Escravos-Lagos Gas pipeline
      Jebba and Shiroro hydro-electricity projects
      Egbin Thermal Power Station in Lagos,NNPC headquarters in Abuja.... In fact IBB built over 65% of what you call Abuja today including government agencies,Ban on importation of wheat
      Establishment of the National Planning Commission,
      Institutionalizing Central Bank autonomy
      Establishment of the Nigerian Export Import Bank (NEXIM),
      Deregulation of capital and financial markets. The Babangida administration, conversant with the geo-politics of Nigeria, particularly the fears of ethnic domination and marginalization, sought to correct the perceived structural imbalances of the Federation by the creation of more states. Eleven states of Nigeria, two of which were born in 1987 (Akwa Ibom, Katsina) and the latter in 1991 (Abia, Anambra, Delta, Jigawa, Kebbi, Kogi, Osun, Yobe and Taraba); and over 136 new Local Government Areas, owe their existence to this August effort. The licensing of private universities and airlines; the liberalization of the banking industry, including the establishment of community banks now micro-finance institutions.
      His government was the first to implement a gender sensitive agenda, he brought in women into Nigerian politics by creating the ministry of women affairs. He build Abuja law school . He did all this and many more but most importantly ,despite heading a military regime President Ibrahim Babangida ran the most consultative administration ever in the Nigerian history. Before deciding on the IMF loan, the issue was subjected to a nationwide public debate. When the people gave a resounding NO verdict Babangida went along with their wishes and called off further negotiations. The commencement of the Political Transition Programme in 1988 was also preceded by a nationwide quest to find the right political system for the nation. Conducted by the Political Bureau to a highly enthusiastic participation by the public, the debate produced very concrete suggestions for the establishment of a more balanced and united Federation, and the key elements distilled there served as the template for the subsequent structural and constitutional realignment of the Nigerian nation.

      In conclusion ,he did quite some remarkable things but he isn't a saint. Just trying to answer your question .

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  6. Aunty T want make dangote locate her, she can still pray for this one na.

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  7. This is what I call true love. Since 2009, he tried and might end up not getting married again.

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  8. Hmmm , I just just thinking of ths man today and how God is giving it back to him and his family

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    Replies
    1. Best comment and people say there is no karma.

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    2. And how is God giving it to him and his family? I advice you think and focus on your own family Anonymous 15:50

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    3. Prettiest comon keep quiet dia

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  9. My aunt was this man's mistress for 12 good years...he changed our lives....she is a millionaire in pounds because of him.

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    Replies
    1. You mean while Maryam was alive? I thought Maryam was his all and all based on this interview? What then is the purpose of the interview? What a liar. He is still playing maradona on Nigerians.

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    2. Choi! Ojibitijibitijibitiii!!!

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    3. Yes,while she was alive and he was in power....

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    4. Anonymous 16:21 you are a liar, stop the lies, you only said this to make yourself happy

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    5. Well...there's nothing at stake here..i don't need to prove anything to you...😋

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    6. Lies! IBB was faithful to Miriam. Even after making Forunsho Alakija what she is today by allocating oil blocks to her and funding fashion designers association of Nigeria (FADAN) one would have thought that just maybe he had something to do with her but no...he did all that for her because she was a friend of Miriam his wife.

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    7. Story for the gods! Can you swear on your life? Abegi shift there..this is how you people say what you dont know..faithful ko unfaithful nii.mtswww

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  10. One of the best President's Nigeria ever had. May you always be blessed your Excellency Daddy IBB

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    Replies
    1. Daddy IBB...kuushe ooo...

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    2. Afi daddy IBB na. Shio.

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    3. His daughter we hear you and we know you. Go away and enjoy the small wealth you and your mum gained from him.

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    4. @Rubynnia learn to read, i repeat His Excellency Daddy IBB is one of the best President's.

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  11. I Loved Abacha and IBB. Nigeria was better under them not all these clueless things we have nowadays. May Abacha Rip.

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  12. Replies
    1. Really?? Didn’t you study history in secondary school?? Abi, you are not a Nigerian.?

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    2. Is History still taught in schools these days?

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    3. Of course it is.

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    4. @anon17:48...He is a fisherman at night and a bitter kola seller at day in my village,Ozuaye

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  13. Anonymous 17:48 His Excellency Excellency Daddy IBB is one of the best of Nigeria ever had.
    Please learn to read your book, refer to History on Nigerians President's, do not be on Internet asking questions even a one month old baby knows.

    ReplyDelete

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